NZTech Inform – innovating with currency

Due to the school holidays, this week is a bit quieter. While thousands of holidaymakers are jumping on planes, I am happily avoiding flying for a couple of weeks.

I am very excited to announce that the amazing Jodi Ihaka has joined the NZTech team as our Government Relations Manager. Jodi is based in Wellington, has a background in journalism and has spent her recent years as a senior advisor for several prominent politicians.

The Tech Alliance is also looking for a new Community Manager, so if you know of anyone who is very organised and good with relationship management, please check out the position description. The role will be supporting three associations; LocationTech, the IoT Alliance and BlockchainNZ.

Speaking of Blockchain, the New Zealand Government’s Finance and Expenditure Select Committee has just opened an inquiry into the current and future nature, impact, and risks of cryptocurrencies. An agenda is yet to be published, however you can register for notifications.

Continuing the theme, the Reserve Bank Bill has progressed to the Third Reading and I am happy to say the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee has taken up NZTech’s recommendation to include technological innovations such as cryptocurrencies within the Reserve Bank’s remit. Clause 113 has been adjusted to include monitoring the impact of technological innovations on currency.

Meanwhile, AgriTechNZ are celebrating their Annual Meeting tomorrow. As one of the more prominent associations in the NZTech group, their members, executive council and CEO, Brendan O’Connell should be very proud of what they have achieved in the past year. Most notably, they  have worked with the Government to solidify the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan.

Have a great week.

Ngā mihi

Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

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